Volume 1

Cyclopaedia of obstetrics and gynecology ... / [edited] by Egbert H. Grandin.

Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cyclopaedia of obstetrics and gynecology ... / [edited] by Egbert H. Grandin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    THE CARE OF THE NEW-BORN INFANT. TX/^E do not propose to enter here into details. We simply aim at laying down certain rules which concern the management of the infant during the first few days. Being strongly opposed to artificial feeding, we will speak only of the infant which is nourished by the mother or a wet-nurse. The cord having been tied, and the infant washed and clothed, it should be placed in its crib, and surrounded, especially in winter, by hot water bottles. Usually, before placing the child in its crib, nurses give it one to two teaspoonsful of sugar water. Without being harmful, this custom is useless. The infant should lie in its crib, on its side, the head slightly elevated, and with its back turned towards the light. It is important to keep it out of any draught. It should never be allowed to sleep in the bed with the mother. Aside from the fact that her rest is thus disturbed, the infant is exposed to inhaling the perspiratory and lochial odors, and this must be harmful. During the first few hours, it is not rare to see mucus flowing from the mouth and nose. This should be removed. The child shortly ceases to cry, and goes to sleep. It should not be rocked, as is customary; this is not only useless, but may, after the child has nursed, provoke vomiting. If the cord was large, the ligature may slip, and slight bleeding occur. In such a case, a second hgature must be applied nearer to the navel. Whether the infant is nursed by mother or wet-nurse, it should not be applied to the breast before twelve to twenty-four hours. [?] A few spoonsful of sugared water or milk and water will suffice until then. When the infant awakens, its napkin should be changed. Although many infants urinate and pass meconium shortly after birth, there are many who do not. In the latter instance nothing is called for; at the end of twelve hours or more, this matter regulates itself. Every child should be weighed at birth. This is the only way to assure oneself of its gain. Usually, the infant loses a little in weight during the first three to four days, at the end of which period it begins to gain, and at the end of the week nearly all or a little more of the original weight has been regained. From this time forth a healthy and amply nourished infant, ought to gain f to 1 ounce daily. At the outset, the child should be applied to the breast every two hours, later every two and a half, or three. At night the intervals should be longer—every four hours, at seven, at eleven, at three or four in the